§ Mr. EdenIn asking about the Business for today, may I, first of all, say how glad we all are to see the Lord President of the Council back among us, and congratulate him warmly on his most evident return to health?
While we are gratified at the slight extension of time with which the acting Leader of the House has honoured us for today's Business, may I ask him to observe that we have not yet reached the Report stage of the Transport Bill, and to bear in mind that in the circumstances it might be more convenient for everybody if he gave the House a third day for a real Report stage? Otherwise, the Report stage will have to be condensed into two, days. May I also remind the right hon. Gentleman that what I said yesterday about undiscussed Clauses and Schedules is as true now as it was then?
§ The Minister without Portfolio (Mr. Arthur Greenwood)I was well aware at midnight last night that we had made small progress with the Bill, but it will be within the recollection of the House that when I offered, some weeks ago, a fourth day for the Report stage that offer was violently repudiated and was, of course, withdrawn. I must repeat what I said yesterday, that the Report stage of this Bill must conclude by 9.30 p.m. tomorrow. I thought that I had met the House in a reasonable way by adding four hours to today's working; if it be the case that some of the Clauses are not properly discussed, then the responsibility must largely lie with Members opposite
§ Mr. EdenDoes not the right hon. Gentleman remember, in connection with his offer of four days, that what he asked us to do was to agree to a programme by which we should consent to be guillotined? Nobody in any century has ever wanted to do that; nobody likes being guillotined. I am sure the right hon. Gentleman would agree that the work which the House did yesterday was of a constructive nature, following on Amendments that were discussed in Committee. Since this is a major Bill, surely it is reasonable that the right hon. Gentleman should give us a reasonable opportunity to discuss it.
§ Mr. GreenwoodI fall back on the statement I made yesterday, that by the will of the House, the Guillotine was imposed on this Measure. That decision still stands. Obviously, at this late hour, it cannot be altered. A considerable amount of time was wasted by Members opposite yesterday in driving us into the Division Lobbies, when that time might have been far better spent on constructive argument.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonWho suffers most if a Bill of major importance is not adequately discussed? Is it not the people of the country? Do not the Government recognise that they are in the position of being trustees for the people?